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Robert Brooke
New Chairman of the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society
M
any of us go about our business each day unaware there’s a society constantly
looking out for the town and its surrounding villages – a group of self-appointed guardian angels. The Dartmouth and Kingswear Society concerns itself with protecting our historic buildings, fighting to keep our green spaces and asking difficult questions of local authorities about issues like losing our cottage hospital. New chairman Robert Brooke says there’s plenty to keep them busy at the moment. Steph Woolvin went to meet him… Robert is no stranger to sitting at the head of a meeting room table holding court. He was a chartered accountant and started his career in a small firm in Southampton. He soon moved to London and took up a job with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he stayed for 36 years. He became a practice partner in 1973 and was asked to do a partner exchange in the Netherlands for two and a half years working with the consumer goods giant Unilever which owns brands such as Persil, Dove, Magnum and Marmite. “We lived in The Hague and thoroughly enjoyed it. I became involved with the chamber of commerce out there and continued the work when I got home as part of the Netherlands British Chamber of
Commerce.” His Dutch links didn’t end there, as Robert soon became chairman of the Anglo Netherlands Society. The social and cultural group organises a number of events and visits throughout the year including trips to the Thames Barrier, Westminster, art galleries and dinners with ambassadors. “I’m not chairman anymore, but I’m still a member and enjoy going to the events!” In the 90s, whilst still working as an accountant in
We keep a close eye on planning applications and make sure we
are on top of any new activities.
London, Robert was singled out to work on the project to build Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on the South Bank. “When I first came on board there was literally just a hole in the ground! It was our job to find the money to create the building and make it viable. It was a huge project which I juggled with my job at PricewaterhouseCoopers. It took a good many years but it finally opened in 1997 and every time I go past now I always think ‘I helped build that!’” Robert is still on one of the Globe’s committees.
Robert and his wife Cathy moved
to Dartmouth from Surrey over two years ago. The couple allowed themselves the first year to settle in and find their feet. Then in year two Robert was asked to become Chairman of the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society as he thought his previous experience could come in useful. The society, formed over 50 years ago, aims to protect the local area by closely monitoring any proposed development making sure it doesn’t negatively affect the character of the area and is always in the interests of local people. “I think we are a force to be listened to. We will take positive action to consult and lobby where necessary, whether that’s about healthcare services being taken away or the development of the neighbourhood plan. We keep a close eye on planning applications and make sure we are on top of any new activities. If a new housing development is on the cards we want to know if the correct infrastructure is in place; roads, parking, jobs, school places.” At the moment a large amount of Robert’s time is spent investigating the need for proper facilities for wellbeing and social care, which he says is a big issue for all age groups after the loss of Dartmouth hospital: “We’re concerned that the debate regarding the need for
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